Punchestown racing tips: Mares’ Novice Hurdle - Night And Day poised for bright start
Punchestown hurdles
With Cheltenham and Aintree behind us, it’s Ireland’s turn to serve up a National Hunt racing extravaganza with the Punchestown Festival taking centre stage for the next five days.
15:40 Howden Insurance Brokers Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed)
Our friends at Tipstrr will be guiding us through the week with a selection of their most popular tips from all the big races, kicking off with the Mares' Novice Hurdle as a tasty curtain raiser.
Run over an extended two miles, last year's renewal got Gordon Elliott's festival off to a flying start when the recently-retired Davy Russell guided Party Central to a cosy victory.
This year it would be no surprise if the Willie Mullins-Paul Townend got off to a winning start, with
Night And Day looking a decent prospect after finishing 22 lengths clear of the nearest of 16 rivals on his season debut at Clonmel in January.
He was pulled up when already beaten at Fairyhouse 16 days ago, but this relatively quick return to the track suggests that connections have high hopes here.
Suggested bet: Night And Day in the 15:50 at Punchestown
With extra places available in most races, including this one, each-way value is enhanced for the likes of Henry-de Bromhead's
Ladybank, who dead-heated with Princess Zoe over a longer trip here in January.
Rachael Blackmore was on board that day, and she returns to the saddle after being booked for another ride when Ladybank faded in the latter stages of the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Each-way popular punt:
Ladybank in the 15:40 at Punchestown
